Shocking moment bare-chested thug, 22, sprays cop in face with ammonia before threatening him with gun during chase
THIS is the shocking moment a bare-chested thug sprays a cop in the face with ammonia – before threatening him with a gun.
James Boyle, 22, was jailed for 16 years after he was captured on camera running from the scene.
The chaotic footage shows the dramatic events unfold, as the thug sprays a police officer in the face and then runs away, armed with a handgun.
The officer shouts: “I’ve been sprayed by something,” as he chases James down the street.
Cops were called to the scene last June in Commonside East, Mitcham in Surrey after reports of suspicious loitering.
On arrival, Police Constable Samuel Goard walked up to speak to James.
After he told James to take his hands out of his pocket, the 22-year-old pulled out a bottle of ammonia and sprayed it in his face, temporarily blinding the officer.
PC Goard said: “At the time of the incident I was in complete fear for my life. I did not know what the male had sprayed at me.
“Thoughts of acid, ammonia or any liquid that could have caused me irreversible injuries to my eye, sight, or permanent disfigurement to my face overcame me.
“My thoughts turned to my son at home, was he going to grow up only knowing me as having a disfigured face, will he recognise me when I go home?”
PC Goard was temporarily blinded in one eye – but managed to use his PAVA spray against his attacker.
James then fled the scene, chased by two officers on foot.
But it didn’t end there – footage shows James pull out a handgun from his waistband and point it toward the officers.
Without firing he managed to keep running and escaped on foot.
PC Garner, one of the officers pursuing James, said: “When he [Boyle] pulled the gun on me I felt powerless and had to let him run away.
“I was left with the same recurring thought – if it was so easy to point a gun at a police officer what would he do to a member of the public?
“I returned to work the day after the incident. I love my job and didn’t want what happened to affect me or make me fearful but it is a terrifying reminder that the most routine call could end up being something that could change my life or the lives of my loved ones forever.”
After trawling through CCTV footage, the police were able to identify their suspect.
He was found and arrested last June.
On his arrest he was found with a knife, an axe and a bottle of ammonia in his rucksack.
During a search of his home, they discovered the same grey tracksuit top Boyle had been wearing on the night of the incident.
The investigation also revealed the firearm James had used had been fired before the police arrived at the scene that night.
The live rounds of ammunition that were recovered and the bottle of ammonia all provided forensic matches to James.
James was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Kingston Crown Court on 13 March.
He pleaded guilty at the same court on 11 November 2022 for a multitude of offences.
These included administering a poison with intent, using a firearm with intent, assault and having a corrosive substance in a public place.
He was also charged for possession of various bladed articles and of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, from Specialist Crime, said: “Boyle is an extremely dangerous offender and we are pleased that the overwhelming evidence gathered during our investigation left him with no choice but to plead guilty.
“We have no doubt that he would have caused further harm was he not identified and arrested so quickly.
“My thoughts remain with the officers involved in this incident who are fortunate not to have suffered lasting injury.
“Police officers routinely put themselves in harm’s way but no-one should have to come home from work having being assaulted in the course of their duty.”